Rhythmic breathing is a simple breathing excercise for beginners. This yoga technique calms the mind, balances emotions, helps to release muscular tension, may increase respiratory capacity, and can help lower blood pressure. Perform this breathing exercise sitting upright or lying flat on your back. The four stages of this exercise are: 1. Inhale – 2. Hold the breath -3. Exhale – 4. Hold the breath. You will experience different results, depending on how long you spend on each stage of the breath.

The following is an example of breathing in for a count of two, holding for a count of one, breathing out for a count of two and holding for a count of one before repeating the cycle (2 x 1 x 2 x 1). Exercising this sequence for a period of time can help speed up your respiratory rates.

Here are what the breathing sequences can do for you. Please build up the number of breaths gradually, especially if you are not use to doing yoga breathing. Many find that practicing the 2 thru 6 sequences are the most comfortable and quite adequate exercises.